Armed... Live for Him!

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for He who suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.  -1 Peter 4:1-2

Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."  -Galatians 5:16-17 

Read 1 Peter 4:1-6 & Gal 5:16-26 

Keep Off the Grass... 

                   Do Not Enter... 

                              Do Not Disturb...

                                                  Keep Out! 

What is it about human nature? Why do we desire what we don't possess? Do you despise those inward nudges to do the opposite of what you know you should do? Being prepared by arming yourself with the mind of Christ is the answer to not giving into these fleshly desires. Let me share a scenario... 

You're late for a job interview. After securing the perfect parking spot you realize the entrance to the building is right in front of you. But a section of grass lies between you and the doorway, and a sign reads "Keep Off the Grass!" You notice the sidewalk meanders its way around the pristine grassy garden area before ending at the door you want to go through. You think to yourself... I'm in a hurry. I need to go straight to the door! You quickly scan the scene, and with no one in sight you say to yourself... Oh well, no one will care. A little voice inside is telling you not to disobey, but you justify your actions and tip-toe through the plot of grass. Relieved to save some time, you enter the building and sit down in the waiting area. Within seconds the interviewer calls you into his office. When he casually mentions seeing you in the parking lot, your face goes pale! You are inwardly kicking yourself for not listening to that still small voice. 

This is no different from Adam and Eve in Genesis 3. God gave them freedom to eat from any tree in the garden except one... the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil (Gen. 2:17). Picture a sign on this tree that read "Keep Off!" Well, as we know, Adam watched his wife Eve give in to Satan's temptation, she ate from the tree, and sin entered the world immediately! If only she had obeyed the sign!

We are still the same today. A toddler will specifically be told not to touch the stove, but touches it anyway. Hopefully the remembrance of his pain causes him to listen to the warning voice next time. Humans have this sin nature that desires what they shouldn't obtain. It is when we live by the Spirit that we will not want to gratify the sinful nature. The way to successfully accomplish this is to keep armed with the mind of Christ! Prayer is one of the major components to readiness. Prayer keeps you in continual communication with Jesus. The more we are in tune with Christ, the more we stay aware of the Holy Spirit's direction for our daily lives. This arms us with the mind of Christ.

Challenge for the Week... Being Armed with the Mind of Christ helps us avoid making unwise decisions. Remember God knows what is best for us, but He doesn't make us obey. That is our choice. I can't help but think that when we prepare our hearts and arm ourselves with the mind of Christ, God smiles, claps His hands, and shouts "Yes, she did it!" 

                                                                               

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From My Heart to Yours,

Carla McDougalFounder of Reflective Life Ministries

Author of Reflecting Him